Connect with others who understand.

  •   Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  •   Real advice from people who’ve been there
  •   People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
All Resources Treatments A-Z Personal Assistant Help Center Crisis
Powered By
Real members of MyFibroTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

How do you answer the simple question, "How are you?" Do you answer truthfully or do you lie and say you're fine?

A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
League City, TX

This question is so hard for me (not as hard as "rate your pain on a scale of 1-10"). If you answer truthfully, you run the risk of alienating the asker or appearing as though "you're carrying on" and whining for attention. If you lie and say "I'm fine", then that's exactly what they think and don't believe you when the very next day you're not so fine. I usually just answer, "I'm moderately okay" which gets a laugh and then the attention is diverted from me. How do YOU answer the question?

June 24, 2015
 · 
Reactions

Answer Summary

Members opened up about the challenge of answering 'How are you?' when living with chronic illness, with most agreeing the response depends on... Read more

Members opened up about the challenge of answering 'How are you?' when living with chronic illness, with most agreeing the response depends on who is asking and whether they genuinely want to know. Several members shared their go-to phrases, including 'I'm hanging in there,' 'doing the best I know how,' 'same old same old,' and 'having a rough day or good day,' which allow them to be truthful without over-sharing or appearing to complain constantly. A recurring theme was the exhausting balance between honesty and self-protection, with many members expressing frustration over feeling they must hide their pain to avoid pity, judgment, or people running in the other direction, though some found value in being truthful as a way to educate others and connect with fellow sufferers.

A MyFibroTeam Member

that is one question I have always lied about and now I plan to answer truthfully and let people know how I am doing. I am tired of hiding my condition and the more I let people know the more information will get out to others. By doing this recently I found out a person at works suffers everyday as I do with fibro. so you never know just be matter of fact and answer with truth

July 1, 2015
A MyFibroTeam Member

U say I'm doing the best I know how!

June 27, 2015
A MyFibroTeam Member

I am very honest with my husband and if I am not feeling good I tell him I just don't feel good today. he is very good to rub my back, legs etc scratch my back and on and on so I tell him how I feel or he can see by the way the house looks as to how I feel. It is the look of pity on his face I can not stand. Just hear I do not feel ok help if you can but don't pity me it does neither of us any good

June 26, 2015
A MyFibroTeam Member

This is an excellent question. Folks are right that a lot of people who ask you this don't really want to know. If it is a rough day, I muster my best smile and answer "I am hanging in there" (because I am) and on a good day I say "I am doing well". Then I am not lying, but it doesn't sound like I am complaining either.

June 25, 2015
A MyFibroTeam Member

Oh wow... This is a very good question. I guess it differs for me. I get really tired of speaking the truth and tired of lying as well. I guess most of the time I say I'm good. Or I'm ok. People tend to run in the other direction when spoke the truth.

June 25, 2015

Related Questions

View All

How do you comment to an answer to a question you have asked?

A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Sheridan, WY
September 2, 2016

How do I block/unblock another member?
What are you thankful for?
How do I add a photo to an update?
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
By joining, you accept our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our collection, sharing, and use of your data in accordance with our Health Data and Privacy policies.
Already a member? Log In